What part to order, connect handheld XM to Factory Tacoma Radio - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ycart1201 · 11-19-2008, 01:10 PM

This is the adapter im looking at buying. I think it hooks up to my antenna connection at the back of my radio and allows for clearer sound.

The XMFM1 FM modulator lets you send the signal from your plug-and-play satellite radio directly to your vehicle's stereo. The direct connection eliminates the static and interference that can occur when using a wireless FM transmitter. You won't have to find an unused station or switch between stations when traveling to different areas. Just tune to your favorite XM channel, and enjoy excellent sound quality.

Installation of the XMFM1 requires removal of your factory or aftermarket stereo. Then simply plug your factory radio antenna into the adapter and plug the adapter into the antenna plug on the rear of your stereo.

Details:

* FM direct connection adapter for XM satellite radios
* plugs directly into the rear of your factory or aftermarket stereo
* works with all XM SureConnect plug-and-play radios
* includes plugs and wires for most installations (antenna adapters may be required)
* warranty: 1 year

This is the xm radio i've been using (Delphi MyFi XM2GO XM Radio Portable Audio System model #SA10113):

I don't want to updgrade my stereo in my rig... just want to get rid of the static I hear through the speakers cause the handheld xm radio transmits through an FM frequency.

Will this work?

Does anybody have any experience with this?

I'm confused in my research cause it kinda sounds like this might work too:

http://www.xmradio.com/sureconnect/index.xmc

Thanks in advance,
Nathan
ycart1201

berry79 · 11-19-2008, 01:29 PM

Use this, it sounds just like cd quality. It connects on the back of the radio were you would normaly have a CD changer hooked up, assuming you do not have a CD changer. That FM modulator only sounds as good as FM radio. As for the Cig power adapter, they sell that at circuit city also.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metra...oductDetail.do

berry79 · 11-19-2008, 01:32 PM

Here is the link for the cig power adapter. there is no picture but that is what it is. I used this combination in my Tacoma, it sounds great with no problems.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metra...oductDetail.do

ycart1201 · 11-19-2008, 05:09 PM

Thank you for the quick reply. I dont have a cd changer so this might work. I'll need to look at the bottom of my xm radio to see if i have a spot for it to plug in (long rectangular piece) before I order.

Thanks for the link.

If anyone else has input, feel free to post... I'll take all the knowledge I can get on this subject. ^_^

Thanks,
Nathan
ycart1201

ycart1201 · 11-19-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berry79

Use this, it sounds just like cd quality. It connects on the back of the radio were you would normaly have a CD changer hooked up, assuming you do not have a CD changer. That FM modulator only sounds as good as FM radio. As for the Cig power adapter, they sell that at circuit city also.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metra...oductDetail.do

Quick question. Do you have this hooked up to an iPod or to the same xm radio that i have? from the description, it looks like it is only for an iPod.

If I dont hear from you by this weekend, I think I will go to my local Circuit City and see if they can help.

Thanks,
Nathan
ycart1201

berry79 · 11-20-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ycart1201

Quick question. Do you have this hooked up to an iPod or to the same xm radio that i have? from the description, it looks like it is only for an iPod.

If I dont hear from you by this weekend, I think I will go to my local Circuit City and see if they can help.

Thanks,
Nathan
ycart1201

It has two aux inputs. one for ipod. The second for anything using a 3.5mm headphone jack(mp3 players, sat radios, etc.) I have a sirius unit connected throught it using this cable:

I believe your xm unit uses this style jack to plug in the headphones, which is the same as you will find on the adapter
If you look at the picture of the aux input adapter, to left of the ipod plug you will see the other jack.

berry79 · 11-20-2008, 08:01 AM

By the way to access the unit once it is installed, all you due on the factory radio is hit the cd buttom twice. this will toggle between the deck cd player and the cd changer outlet were the adapter will be connected.

ycart1201 · 11-20-2008, 01:07 PM

Thank you for the clarification. I think I get it now. I'll be connecting to the adapter through a 3.5mm headphone jack. Mine does have one on the top of the handheld unit (i think i've used headphones once).

I'll be swinging by my local circuit city Saturday so I can hook it up this weekend.

Thanks for the help.
Nathan
ycart1201

berry79 · 11-20-2008, 01:45 PM

Another word of advice, check the part number on the input adapters package. My local circuit city had the honda ones in the toyota spot on the shelf and the toyota ones in the GM spot on the shelf. I almost didn't catch it at first, untill i was walking to the register and noticed I had the honda part.

ycart1201 · 11-24-2008, 01:08 PM

So... I purchased this adapter and a 6' 3.5mm cord. Install was a breeze. Took all of about 10 minutes. Sound quality was great (perfect) except for one thing... It is way to quiet. When I turn the volume up to max on my factory head unit, it is equal to what is numbered 30-35 when listening to the radio. This also makes a "dead air" sound coming through the speakers when I'm in between songs or switching stations (and is probably there while the song is playing but I can't really hear it at that point). This is after I looked through my handhelds instructions, found out about adjusting the line out volume, but even at full power, the sound coming out the speakers is way to quite (30-35). Any way to adjust this on the factory head unit?

Thanks,
Nathan
ycart1201

berry79 · 11-24-2008, 01:48 PM

There is no way to adjust the factory H/U. Mine is a little lower than when I'm playing a cd or listening to fm. But with my line out on my sirius all the way up and the radio between 35-40 it plays pretty loud. And i have no dead air between songs. This might be an issue with the xm unit. I've read people people getting better quality by using the high end 3.5mm cable, but I've never tried it.

berry79 · 11-24-2008, 02:22 PM

Something like this might help you out.
http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=1074

I've never used one some I couldn't tell you how good they work. It states the boost rca signal I believe
6x. You would also have to get two 3.5mm to rca cables to go with it. The only problem I see though, is if you are having dead noise, it will boost that also.

berry79 · 11-24-2008, 02:45 PM

Another thing, my units 3.5mm connection is through the vehicle dock not the unit itself. Are you connecting the 3.5mm directly to the unit, or is it connected to a vehicle docking station. If its connected to the unit, maybe check your vehicle dock for a 3.5mm jack and use this instead, will probally get rid of the dead air noise you are hearing.

ycart1201 · 11-24-2008, 05:17 PM

That little gizmo sounds like it will work but looks crazy confusing for the install since I don't have any RCA's being used right now. And it looks like it needs power ran from the battery.

As for your second post, I'm using it the same way you are, connected through the docking station. I think the dead air noise is coming from the fact that the volume is at full blast cause it goes away when i turn the factory head unit volume down into the 30's.

This takes me back to my 1st post... with the FM modulator I posted about. It looks like that plugs into the back of my factory radio and then I plug my antenna into that. It has a wire that goes into the antenna port on my hand held docking station. From your post, it sounds like this will just boost my antenna (i could remove the magnetic one on my roof if i used this?) but will not help with the fact that mine transmits through an FM frequency causing static and other unpleasant sounds.

I think I'll google some more when I get home from work to see if I can figure out what to do.

Berry79, you've been helpful so far, I thank you for that. =)

Nathan
ycart1201

berry79 · 11-24-2008, 07:39 PM

Connection would be simple. Just use one of these going in, and another going out of that device. You will be left with 3.5mm jacks still on both ends.
http://www.suntekstore.com/images_ca...2274/image.jpg

As for the FM modulator it does not boost the fm signal, it actualy interupts the standard fm signal, giving the xm unit a clear fm signal to broadcast on. As for the magnetic one on the roof, yes it can be removed. I used a modulator when I first got my sirius unit. It was in there for about two days. I could not see paying for digital radio and having to listen to it at fm quality. As for powering that amplifying device. Some of the people on this forum recommended this device to me. No splicing, no cutting, just install in the fuse panel. Here is the link to thread I started. Wanted to keep everything within warranty. This really helped, very easy install.
Fuse Panel Hardwire?
It can found at autozone for about 6 dollars. Hope this helps. Sorry that metra device isn't working to well for you.